Mental health stigma is a growing concern in Hong Kong

Thank you to all those who attended the Hong Kong Mental Health Conference 2017. To see highlights from this event, watch our wrap video here.

In 2014, a group of doctors formed The Patient Care Foundation (PCF), a Hong Kong-based charity whose aim is to improve local health care in a number of different areas. PCF identified several groups of vulnerable people, one of them being those with mental health problems. In partnership with Mind UK, an established charity with a mission to support and empower anyone with mental health issues, PCF launched Mind HK. Together with the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists, The next step in the journey toward de-stigmatising mental health in Hong Kong is to gather experts for the sharing of knowledge and best practice at an international Conference.

For more information on PCF, please visit:

For more information on Mind HK, please visit:

HKMHC 2017 isn’t just for academics or those in the healthcare industry

The Hong Kong Mental Health Conference is an innovative, global forum that aims to bring together a host of disciplines including corporations, educators, insurers, government representatives, health and human resource professionals, public health specialists, media, caregivers, NGOs and many more for the purpose of generating practical and actionable solutions to mental health issues with a view to making the subject a less taboo one. One in four people worldwide suffers from a minor mental health difficulty and one in ten suffers from a serious disorder. The objective of the Conference is to de-stigmatise mental health problems, encourage the discussion of wellbeing solutions and share innovation, with the view to changing attitudes toward mental health in Hong Kong and beyond.

HKMHC 2017 will be built around keynote sessions from renowned, subject-matter experts and will highlight speakers with experience at dealing with mental health challenges across a number of different arenas. Tailored panel and workshop sessions, including research and poster presentations, will be combined with networking opportunities and an evening reception. The final day of the conference will be open to individuals with mental health diagnoses and their families, combining the opportunity to learn about mental health conditions in a safe and non-stigmatising environment with a marketplace of local organisations and initiatives that these individuals may access.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Hong Kong Mental Health Conference. Whether you live locally or are travelling from abroad, please review the information to ensure a smooth and pleasant arrival to the event.

330 – number of psychiatrists working in the public sector in Hong Kong. The patient-doctor ratio in Hong Kong is about 4.5 psychiatrists per 100,000 people. The United Kingdom has 14.63 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, and Australia has 9.16 psychiatrists per 100,000 (WHO, 2014).

Mental Health Statistics and Information

1 in 6 – number of Hong Kong residents who have a common mental disorder, like anxiety or depression, either now or will in his or her lifetime (Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey, 2014).

Mental Health Statistics and Information

60% - Number of Hong Konger’s that report experiencing stress and anxiety related to their job (MHA survey, 2014).

Mental Health Statistics and Information

300 million - number of people who experience depression globally. It is a very common mental health problem.

Mental Health Statistics and Information

15% - percentage of adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental disorder.

Mental Health Statistics and Information

No. 2 - Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year old worldwide.

Mental Health Statistics and Information

47.5 million - Number of people worldwide who have dementia (and there are 7.7 million new cases every year).

Connect

With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

Be Active

Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and one that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

Take Notice

Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

Keep Learning

Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident, as well as being fun.

Give

Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and will create connections with the people around you.